The Daily Mail says speculation was growing in Spain that Real Madrid are ready to make a move for Adebayor after discovering that Argentina international Gonzalo Higuain needs surgery on a herniated disc and will be out for three months.

The disgruntled Togo striker is determined to leave City and claimed last month that he thought a loan move to Juventus was in place when the transfer window opens in January. But the prospect of joining Madrid is an intriguing one, with Real boss Jose Mourinho determined to have a new striker in place by the time his side's Champions League campaign resumes on February 15.

Real or Juventus? It's not a bad choice for a player whose future at City appears nonexistent following a series of rows with manager Roberto Mancini.

Adebayor has established himself as the most high-maintenance of Mancini's squad and will be on the move if the Italian has his way.